For me it was “buy high quality pillow” because you sleep for one thrid of a day etc. I needed a new pillow anyway so I came to the store and bought the best they had. And it was … ok. Like it’s a fine pillow but my sleeping haven’t improved really, it’s basically the same. So I was disapointed :(
So, which life pro tip disappointed you?
“Never buy a new car” - the argument being they depreciate quickly, and newer used models are “just as good”.
Nope, got burned twice in a row and wasted more money than if I’d bought a new one immediately.
Just buy a Honda or Toyota, and all you have to do is change the oil.
I’ve replaced the engine in an '06 Civic Si after the timing chain lifter tensioner failed, the timing skipped, and the valves kissed the pistons.
It also ended up having some pretty gnarly electrical issues.
law of large numbers, maybe
I’ve rented a few new cars and I’m just really not a fan of the all lack of physical buttons and controls. The smart settings like lane control, smart cruise control, the engine turning off when stopped, and notifying me with an alert when I’ve driven to many hours are extremely annoying.
Yeah, my girlfriend recently needed a new car since her ancient Ford Fiesta finally kicked the bucket. She decided to limit her budget solidly to shitbox territory because she’d just had some major expenses and didn’t want to owe someone money.
I offered to lend her some money to help her get better offers. She refused – and ended up buying a car that immediately needed a transmission rebuild that cost as much as the car itself. For which I lent her some of the money.
By Grabthar’s hammer, what a savings!
what shitbox did she buy?
A 2007 Opel Agila that might’ve been a decent car four owners ago. But seriously, her price limit was 2500 € and she got the car for a bit over 2000; it’s hardly a surprise that she didn’t exactly get premium quality.
Well, once all repairs are factored in the total cost is closer to 4500, which would’ve bought her a much nicer car.
I’ve seen quite serviceable Toyotas and Hondas in that price range not too long before Covid. When did this all happen? I know post Covid used car prices have been absolutely insane much of the time
I’ve never understood the people who insist on only buying used, particularly when they have the money for new. Why spend $5-15k on a used beater if you could get a new car for $30k that won’t have mystery problems, and if they do then it’s covered by warranty? I’ve only ever had real problems in my used cars. I don’t think I ever had a used that made it more than like 4 years before dying on me. Meanwhile, I’ve had my 2016 RAV4 since January 2016, and I’ve only had to deal with a few things that just wear out naturally over time like tires and brake pads. Nearly 8 years with this car so far, and it’s been a fucking dream. My used 2002 Hyundai XG350L however was a fucking nightmare to the point that I’ve sworn off Kia-Hyundai entirely. Which is a shame because the Ioniq whatever EV seems like a pretty solid product, but I feel the need to do extensive research before getting too excited because of how badly Hyundai burned me.
In my country if you buy used from a dealer you get 1 year warranty by law. Makes it pretty safe, especially if you have the car checked by s trustworthy mechanic (finding one is the hard part!)
I can’t get a car I would like for just £24K. The cars I buy 2nd hand for £5K would have cost north of £40K when they were new. Sure I could get some shitty half litre shoebox on wheels for £24K that needs three weeks’ written notice for acceleration to 60mph but I’d absolutely hate it. Plus when the engine goes boom replacing the whole car is a lot easier to stomach when it only cost 5K as opposed to 40K.
Weeks written notice :-). They are all over the show.
You’ve been sold a bill of goods, or whoever tried to tell you this doesn’t understand leasing.
ex-lease cars are just as good as new, come with a new car warranty, and don’t come with the absurd depreciation.
look at cars that where released 3 years ago, that’s the used cars we’re talking about not a 1990s civic or whatever.
Poor people buy new cars, rich people lease them, smart people buy ex-lease cars.
And even poorer people just buy $1000 beaters and deal with it because we literally can’t afford anything better.
I am a member of the 10mm socket + Hammer club too, but if I had money I know how not to blow it
This is great advice for anyone looking to buy used and not new. Don’t buy someone else’s problems from Craigslist. Buy something from a reputable source that includes a warranty.
Yep. NRMA inspections for the win. There has got to be a similar service in the US.
I agree. I’ve also gotten shafted by used cars (7th generation Honda Civics are all utter pieces of garbage). I don’t take depreciation into account on a new car because I plan on driving it until it’s uneconomical to repair, which means it’ll be worthless when I sell it regardless.
My parents have only purchased one used car, and it was a nearly new car from someone they knew and trusted. The other 4 cars they’ve bought in the past 40 years have been new. They keep them until they’re old and basically worthless.
Yes, in light of keeping the new vehicle for its entire “life” the depreciation argument falls fairly flat. It is more meant for the “average” person who keeps a car for three years or thereabouts. I cannot imagine investing that much money flippantly. I take the time to research what I want and mean to keep my auto for a long time. That said, I prefer a solid used car over new because it has depreciated to a more fair value. I’ve done both and not been displeased with either choice. Except for one BMW…
But even if you drive the car into the ground there is still an associated cost per year as a result of buying the vehicle.
Next time buy a Subaru and have the guy meet you at a dealership. They do a free inspection for you
Ironically that’s exactly what I did.
Dealership inspection was crap didn’t catch obvious issues, and 2. I live in a country where Subaru is only a minor player so not a large service network
Oof that sucks. I’m sorry.
I raised the possibility of buying a Subaru with my local mechanic and he described me as “brave”. He mentioned that the ridiculously high prices for fixing up my Merc (like £600 for a hosepipe) would be peanuts compared to Subaru repairs, and that’s assuming he could even get the parts. So I got another Volvo.
weird. i love my subie and it’s had basically no problems in 4 years, even though it was already 8 or so when i got it. i made sure to get the year where they’d fixed the gaskets, though.
Always take a vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection before buying it.
I used to stick to that rule and get a sensible mid sized Toyota Corolla or Honda Accord that’s a few years old as needed. But in 2013 (the last time I needed to get a new car) the cost savings were really low compared to new. I think the used market was particularly hot so you’d save less that 10% of the cost, so I ended up getting my 1st and only (so far) brand new car ever.